Synopsis: Aliana loves observing everything in nature. When she notices how bright the light of the full moon shines into her room, she spends time learning about the moon and experimenting with light.

SUSANNA: Where did the idea for this book come from?

LAURA: When I wrote the first draft of the book it included so many elements that have been cut through revision. The ideas that remain, the brightness of the full moon and a creative girl experimenting with light were always there. I started writing this after moving to Colorado. I live in an area with little light pollution and at 8200 ft. I’m in awe of the moon in ways I never was living in Chicago and the suburbs. Aliana’s creativity is inspired by my daughters. Her name is a combination of two first graders who made me smile every day in my last year teaching in Chicago. Their names are Valentina and Ariana and the family is based on the Latinx families of Carlos Fuentes Charter School who I also wanted to honor in my writing.

Full Moon from Laura’s balcony

SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?

LAURA: I began writing in August, 2016. The main revisions took place at the Southampton’s Writers Conference with Emma Walton Hamilton, July 2017. Her feedback focused on things others had said before but I was finally ready to listen. She explained how I was trying to write three books in one and I needed to choose which story I really wanted to tell.

I have described that revision as performing surgery on my child. It was painful and messy. I was worried, but the result is that the patient (my manuscript) not only survived, but was improved in the process.

SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?

LAURA: Actually, I submitted this book before it was ready and I wouldn’t recommend that. I did things backwards and if I could go back in time, I would have joined SCBWI and 12×12 with Julie Hedlund as soon as I began writing seriously.

SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?

LAURA: I submitted to a few agents who all rejected the book even though they liked the character. A few gave me advice which I took to heart, and have worked on my craft in many ways since then. I also had a list of publishers who take unagented work and sent it out to five of them, including Eifrig Publishing, that I thought were a good fit. The Eifrig Publishing website has a mission statement that aligns with my beliefs of environmentalism and empowering children. My query letter explained why I thought we were a good match and I proposed a series with my characters and six different stories I wanted to write. Penny Eifrig emailed back that she was interested. She saw the promise of my writing, even though we needed to go through major revisions at that point.

Laura’s writing buddy – Charlie 🙂

SUSANNA: What can you tell us about the editorial process?

LAURA: From the original manuscript I sent to Eifrig to the book I now have in my hands, there were more changes than I can count. Eifrig only accepts illustrated work. I don’t mean to brag, but I am famous for drawing stick figures, obese hummingbirds, and the Northside of an elephant facing south. Unfortunately, that didn’t qualify me to illustrate. Fortunately, I had a local artist ask if she could illustrate my book. We talked about vision, she showed me her portfolio, and we agreed on collaborating. After a year that included many writing revisions and the artist creating a dummy and a few full water color illustrations, we were on our way. Sadly, the illustrator ended up backing out due to work constraints from her “real job.”

I didn’t want to hire an illustrator and pay them outright because I wanted a partner in the marketing process and that had always been our vision with the first artist. I reached out to my former colleague and art teacher where I taught in Chicago who connected me to Ariel. I emailed her the text, some art notes from my work with the first artist, and photos of my students at Carlos Fuentes Charter School who I wanted Aliana and Gustavo to look like. We had several conversations (she lives in California) and she started with character sketches and painting backgrounds. She shared her work along the way so I could see it and occasionally give feedback. Her work is amazing and seeing my story come to life through her artwork has been incredible.

In the spring, I was able to meet her in person while visiting a friend who also lives in the Los Angeles area. Like the first illustrator, Ariel has had conflicts with time because she works as a costumer on a TV show (Station 19, a Gray’s Anatomy spinoff set in a firehouse.) The fact that Aliana’s dad is a fireman added to our excitement about collaborating. One of the other books, if this becomes a series, is about forest fires, which is something we both have firsthand experience with. When I was moving to Colorado in July 2016, the day we were packing up the truck in Chicago, I received a reverse 911 call that we were being evacuated from the house I owned but had not yet moved into.

SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc?

LAURA: So far we haven’t had any industry reviews, but we have two STEM/STEAM professionals write endorsements for our book. The day I read the first one, written by Grace Wolf-Chase, PhD; Astronomer at Adler Planetarium in Chicago I thought my heart would explode. It was gratifying to see that someone who didn’t know me and had a career in the field of Astronomy understood everything I was hoping the book would impart.

Young Laura, in practically the same pose as Aliana on the cover, as happy then as grown-up Laura is now about her book!

“This short children’s book imparts many pearls of wisdom about the qualities of a scientist, while telling an engaging story about a girl’s caring relationship with her younger brother. Using her ingenuity, imagination, and ordinary household materials, Aliana creates a special experience for Gustavo’s 5thbirthday. Aliana Reaches for the Moonencourages all children – and especially girls – to read, explore, experiment, and to take notice of the natural world. There’s even an important message for parents – doing science can be messy!” ~ Grace Wolf-Chase, PhD; Astronomer, Adler Planetarium

We also received a glowing endorsement from Linda Schwab, Flight Director at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana. I wasn’t even aware these amazing educational centers existed until now. They provide hands on learning and exploration for children and resources for teachers dedicated to the memory of those who died in the Challenger shuttle tragedy on January 28, 1986. For more information go to challenger.org

“Curiosity and imagination, paired with research and experimental play, help Aliana bring her unique idea to life. Aliana Reaches for the Moon will inspire readers to use science, imagination, and experimental play to create their own innovations.” ~Linda Schwab, Flight Director, Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana

SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?

LAURA: The time between when I started writing and when I received the contract was exactly two years. Again, our situation is different from most because the publisher had already shown interest in early 2017 when I sent her the series proposal and the dummy and 2 illustrations from the first artist. From contract to proof/hard copy was about 10 weeks and then another two and a half months to our release date.

SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?

LAURA: Penny is wonderful, but Eifrig is a small house and I knew from the beginning that much of the marketing and promotion would be my responsibility. She has sent the book to professional reviewers and is working to have it carried in museums and planetariums. She’s also supported my goal of participating in author events at CCIRC and The Children’s Festival of Stories to make sure the book will be available.

SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.

LAURA: Ariel has made coloring pages and designed a bookmark. We have a mini 20 second teaser trailer and a longer one that runs about a minute. I hired a former student who is now finishing a degree in animation. I plan to use the trailers and swag as part of my school visit presentations.

This sounds like a cool book. I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only person to write multiple stores into one. I love watching the moon and live far enough west of Chicago to enjoy the night light. I dont know if you come back to the Chicago area, but if you do, you may want to reach out to Anderson Books. They might carry your book and provide an opportunity for an author presentation. They also have an annual Children’s Literature Breakfast each February.

Oh my, ladies, I adore this interview and this book (yes I can adore it before reading it because you described it so well and the illustrations lol fantastic!) Can’t wait to get a copy my daughter. And Laura I love how you collaborated to create the book, that just further emphasizes the STEM/STEAM theme! The biggest thing I learned from my stem internships was that all scientists and engineers work in groups, they can’t achieve what they have without help

Kaitlyn, thank you! I adore this comment. 😊 I feel like collaboration is so valuable to the individuals involved and the final product. My daughter is an engineer and I know how much there teamwork is.

Aw I’m so glad! I added this my Amazon list, I want my daughter to be ready for engineering, programming, and creative problem solving and this will definitely out he on the right track!! Thank YOU! And, oh my, that’s amazing she’s an engineer, you must be so proud.😊

Thank you, Patricia! It’s fun to read about different books and how they went from idea to bookshelf. I feel like my journey is a bit of a cautionary tale, but the final outcome is wonderful. Loved your review today!

I agree these posts have been a wonderful addition to Susanna’s blog. I started out with the pitch practice posts, “Would you read it Wednesday?” and have really learned a lot from them as well. Good luck with your writing.

Loved learning more about Laura…she is a fabulous person! And her determination and persistence in the face of obstacles is why she has this beautiful book! And I love the way she came to write the story (having lived in Colorado for 18 years, I can attest to the awesome night skies). Wonderful interview, Susanna!

What helpful and detailed insight into publishing! As a former central-Illinoisian who now lives near Chicago, I desperately miss the beauty of the night sky. I can appreciate Aliana’s fascination with the moon and can’t wait to read more about her. I also love that she is a caring big sister and is based on past students! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you, Nicole! It’s really so different to experience the night sky away from the bright city lights. I’ll be in Chicago next month promoting the book and look forward to sharing it with children in the city. Hopefully they’ll have the chance to see the moon away from the city someday too.

Thank you! One thing I’ve discovered in the month since the book came out is how many people are fascinated by the moon, especially the full moon. I hope you have been able to get a copy of Aliana Reaches for the Moon, or asked your library to order, it and that you’ve enjoyed it!

Thank you, Lisa! I am just seeing the last few comments now. The whirlwind of the release and events in the first five weeks have been amazing! I appreciate your reading the interview and the congratulations.